Walters continues to show a strong strikeout rate in the high minors, but he was once again victimized by the long ball in 2010. After he gave up a whopping six in just 16 innings with the Cardinals in 2009, he gave up five in 30 innings last year. An improvement, sure, but still not going to get it done in the big leagues. He'll be nearly 26 when he reports this spring, and it looks like his wall is Triple-A. Expect him to be up and down in 2011 when the Cardinals need someone to take out the recycle bin to chew up innings out of the bullpen.

2010

An excellent Triple-A strikeout rate for Triple-A Memphis in 2008 and 2009 earned Walters a brief stint in St. Louis last year, with disastrous results. While he had a respectable 14 strikeouts in 16 innings, he also gave up 19 runs, 21 hits, nine walks, and a whopping six home runs. Walters has been outstanding in the lower levels, but he seems to have hit a wall in Triple-A, strikeout rate notwithstanding. He'll be used as a spot starter in St. Louis only if injuries strike.